Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the latest wave of EasyJet flight cancellations to prey on unsuspecting passengers, experts have warned.
A worrying new scam has taken Twitter by storm, with victims across the world being lured into handing over their personal details online.
The con sees fake accounts replying to customers’ tweets to the official EasyJet account, asking them to send a message or reveal their phones numbers.
Unlike the official EasyJet account (@easyjet), these scam accounts do not have a gold tick – a sign of a legitimate organisation on Twitter.
Here’s what to look out for to make sure you don’t fall victim to one of the scams.
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the latest wave of EasyJet flight cancellations to prey on unsuspecting passengers, experts have warned
The con sees fake accounts replying to customers’ tweets to the official EasyJet account, asking them to send a message or reveal their phones numbers
Lisa Webb, Consumer Law Expert at Which?, told MailOnline: ‘It’s really worrying that scammers are using the recent easyJet cancellations to prey on vulnerable consumers who are trying to get their money back for cancelled flights.
‘If you receive a Twitter message purporting to be from easyJet, check to make sure this is coming from its official @easyJet Twitter account.’
The fraudulent scheme comes as EasyJet announced that 1,700 flights were to be axed during its peak summer months due to ‘unprecedented’ air traffic control delays.
Around 180,000 passengers have been impacted by this, with 9,000 still left without an alternative route despite EasyJet’s travel replacement efforts.
While some scam accounts have now been shut down, Which? believes that five remain in operation.
To spot them, Which? advises checking follower counts as they generally have a small handful in comparison to @easyjet’s half a million.
Some may make spelling mistakes or speak in a way that seems slightly unnatural too.
One example includes: ‘Hello, it’s unfortunate for the challenge encountered. We would like to closely look at the concern raised. Please, share with us via DM your phone number to allow us probe further. ^Bb.’
To report a Twitter account, users should click on their profile and tap the three small dots above the person’s/organisation’s name
Another reads: ‘Sorry for the inconveniences kindly follow back and share your reachable phone number for assistance thank you for staying connected with us ^JM.’
Genuine customer service representatives at legitimate companies will not ask for your phone number on Twitter, according to Which?.
Instead, employees usually request flight numbers and booking/reference details to assist customers with their travel plans.
Ms Webb continued: ‘If you are in any doubt at all, get in touch with easyJet directly using the contact details on their official website to check on your compensation claim.
‘You can report any scam accounts to Twitter. If you or a loved one do fall victim to a scam then contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland.’
To report a Twitter account, click on a dodgy profile and tap the three small dots above the name.
Here, accounts can be reported, blocked or muted.
This may come in handy if a scammer is persistently sending messages about fake EasyJet advice.
The firm itself also reports these fake accounts to Twitter so that ‘necessary action’ can then be taken.
EasyJet told MailOnline: ‘We continuously monitor for and are aware of these accounts purporting to be an official easyJet account.
‘We continue to report fake accounts to Twitter so they can take any necessary action and we advise customers to only follow and engage with our sole official Twitter channel @easyJet, which is identifiable by the gold verification badge for official businesses, for the latest updates or to seek support and to be vigilant and to not engage with or click on any links from other account.’
